This document summarizes a story about two fiberglass steers, Scott Nobles and Charlie Steak, who fall in love after being brought to an agricultural high school. Their love is tested when they are separated and installed as part of a hydroponic sculpture intended to demonstrate sustainable agriculture. Though physically apart, their love remains strong as they find comfort in continuing to see themselves reflected in each other's eyes for eternity.

2. INTRODUCTION
This story was first created as part of the
Archibull competition. The aim of Hurlstone’s
entry was to instruct and inform the viewer
about sustainable agriculture. We believe that
the balance between farmers and developers
is essential in our society and integral as a
part of sustainable agriculture. This story was
written as an extended metaphor as it
personified the fibreglass steers that were
made into our artwork.

3. This is the story if the love that bloomed between two young steers,
Scott Nobles and Charlie Steak. This story has all the elements of a
good love story; romance, passion, intrigue! But be warned, this is
not a happy story.
Like all good stories, this one began in a fibreglass factory. Charlie
and Scott suddenly found themselves in a state of existence but
before they were able to come to terms with this unusual turn of
events they were put onto a truck (not that they knew what a
truck was) and sent to Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
“Hello,” said Scott.
“Hi,” said Charlie.
And that was it. An instant connection. Such immediate,
easy conversation is not the norm and while the steers did
not know much about this world, they knew they had found
something worth holding onto.

4. Weeks passed and the steers sat idle in the Art faculty while
the amazing, dedicated and undervalued Art teachers
attempted to convince, coerce and threaten the students to
pull their collective fingers out and actually do something.
Meanwhile, the love between the two deepened. They frolicked
around the Art quad, lost in their love. They were that kind
of couple that sickens all present with their over the top
public displays of affection, but luckily for them they had no
peers miming a gag reflex and so they were carefree and
happy.
The Art teachers soon learned of the torrid affair and
attempted to end it. They dragged Scott and Charlie all around
the school in an attempt to tire them out enough that they
would forget about each other. But such love is not so easily
discouraged. One stormy afternoon they met in the Art room
and decided that they needed to do something.

5. “We need to do something,” said Scott.
“I agree,” agreed Charlie.
“See, we’re, like, totally in sync, this is why I love you baby!”
“I know right, I love you so much babes! By the way that white
looks great on you!”
As usual, they got carried away by the incredibly
intellectually stimulating conversation they shared,
and forgot all about their predicament.
And then… the painting started.

6. Scott was thrilled with his new look, and was so preoccupied
he wasn’t talking to Charlie nearly as much. Charlie noticed
and tried to confront him.
“Scott! You never talk to me anymore!”
“Well it’s a bit hard when I have your butt in my face...” Scott
pointed out.
“I’m just worried that while you’re getting painted you’ll
forget about me. That you’ll change,” confessed Charlie softly.
“I won’t change,” Scott assured him.
“You might! Things change… people change… hairstyles
change… interest rates fluctuate…we flatulate...”
“I won’t.” Scott reassured him.

7. With his insecurities about their relationship put to rest, work
began on Charlie.
The painting was slow at first, but began to gather momentum as
the deadline approached with increasing speed. Finally, after two
days of intense painting, after which many students will not be
able to look at a straight edge or farmyard animal without
suffering severe psychological effects, the two steers were
complete. And by golly gosh, did they look great.
“By golly gosh, you look great!” exclaimed Charlie. “All those
straight edges really suit you! So chic!”
“You look good too! Those farmyard animals… wow!”

8. And so the mental health of the Hurlstone students and Art
teachers suddenly seemed a reasonable sacrifice, just to see
Charlie and Scott so happy. Little did they know at the time,
their happiness was to be short-lived.
I told you that this was not a happy story. If you want, you
may stop reading now and imagine that the two steers lived
happily ever after together, however this is not what
happened. You have been warned.

9. Not 12 hours after the conclusion of the painting, the
construction of the scales commenced. Charlie and Scott were
being brought close to one another and were, of course,
thrilled with this process, but then suddenly it stopped. They
were placed a metre away from each other and although
they didn’t know it at the time, were never to be closer ever
again.
Holes were drilled, harnesses were attached, hydroponic
systems were installed and before the steers knew it they were
two feet above the ground, for the rest of eternity. After their
initial panic the steers soon became used to their fate and were
able to discuss it.

10. “I’m sorry Charlie,” said Scott. “I feel like this is all my fault.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” exclaimed Charlie. “You didn’t strap us
up to these things.”
“No, I mean about us, about us not being together anymore. I
feel like if I hadn’t shown you what true love was like, you
wouldn’t feel so bad about what has happened.”
Charlie shook his head.

11. “I’m not the first fibreglass steer that has been sent to a
school to be painted for an Art competition only to fall in
love with his equally emasculated counterpart and then
made in to a sculpture which demonstrates the balance
required for sustainable agriculture as well as being a
working hydroponics system.”
“When you say it like that,” said Scott. “It all
sounds like some bored year ten student
having too much fun writing a story...”
“I’m serious! Everyone else who has been in my situation has
survived and I’m sure we will too.”

12. And so this story comes to its conclusion, with two steers
parted by fate but bound by a love so strong that not
even a couple of slightly insane Art teachers could come
between them. They spent the rest of eternity looking into
each other’s eyes and seeing themselves reflected in the
soul of the other.

14. The End

15. WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS OF THE
2010 CREAM OF THE CROP COMPETITION
PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
BRONZE